Device and method for omnidirectional image display

Abstract

The invention generally relates to the display of images viewable from any direction and devices therefor. In some aspects, the invention provides an apparatus for displaying a hologram-like image. The apparatus includes an inverted, truncated pyramid bearing semi-reflective facets visible from outside of the apparatus in all horizontal directions. A base frame supports the truncated pyramid, houses an imaging system, and provides image source surfaces that display images beneath each of the facets to be reflected by each of the facets.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A display system comprising:
 a plurality of image source surfaces each comprising a black translucent rear projection material disposed within a base frame, each of the black translucent rear projection materials having a top surface and a bottom surface and arranged to present an image; 
 an upper frame object comprising a plurality of display surfaces, wherein each one of the plurality of display surfaces is aligned with the top surface of one of the image source surfaces, thereby arranged to reflect one of the images so that content from the images is visible from all points along an arc extending around the object for more than 180° within a plane, wherein the display surfaces are provided by reflective polyethylene terephthalate foil mounted on the upper frame object; 
 a plurality of digital projectors mounted in the base frame, each one of the plurality of digital projectors oriented to project light onto the bottom surface of one of the image source surfaces; and 
 a cooling system including a fan mounted directly to the base frame and a heat sink mounted within the base frame, wherein the display surfaces and base frame containing the digital projectors and cooling system are pre-fabricated and configured to be transported in one piece. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of image source surfaces consists of four image source surfaces. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of mirrors to direct the light path from the projectors to the image source surfaces. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the reflective foil comprises polyethylene terephthalate. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the arc extends around the object for 360° within a plane. 
     
     
       6. A method of displaying an image viewable from multiple directions, the method comprising:
 generating images using a plurality of digital projectors mounted within a base frame; 
 cooling the digital projectors using a fan mounted on a portion of the base frame and within the base frame; 
 projecting the images from the digital projectors onto a bottom surface of the plurality of image source surfaces each comprising a black translucent rear projection material mounted in the base frame; and 
 reflecting the projected images off of a plurality of display surfaces provided by reflective polyethylene terephthalate foil mounted on an upper frame object, each display surface aligned with one of the image source surfaces so that content from the images is visible from all points along an arc extending around the object for more than 180° within a horizontal plane. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the display surfaces are provided by reflective foil mounted on the upper frame object. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the upper frame object comprises a truncated, inverted pyramid-like structure mounted to, and disposed above, the base frame. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the digital projectors are connected to a computer. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of image source surfaces consists of four image source surfaces. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the base frame further comprises a plurality of mirrors to direct the projected images from the projectors to the image source surfaces. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the arc in which the content is visible from all points extends around the object for 360° within a plane. 
     
     
       13. An apparatus for displaying a hologram-like image, the apparatus comprising:
 an inverted, truncated pyramid bearing semi-reflective facets visible from outside of the apparatus in all horizontal directions, the facets provided by reflective polyethylene terephthalate foil mounted on the truncated pyramid; and 
 a base frame supporting the truncated pyramid and housing
 an imaging system comprising image source surfaces each comprising a black translucent rear projection material, each image source surface aligned with one of the facets and configured to display images beneath each of the facets, and digital projectors located beneath the image source surfaces and oriented to project the images onto a bottom surface of the image source surfaces, 
 a cooling system comprising a fan disposed at an edge of the base frame, and 
 a computing device comprising a tangible, non-transitory memory coupled to a processor adapted to generate the images displayed on the image source surfaces; 
 
 wherein the truncated pyramid and the base frame containing the digital projectors and cooling system are pre-fabricated and configured to be transported in one piece.